ANDREW JACKSON BARBER - Andrew Jackson Barber, deceased, whose well managed and extensive farming and stock-raising interests made him one of the successful men of Sangamon county, was born October 5, 1827, in Fauquier county, Virginia. He was a son of Nicholas and Phoebe (Woolf) Barber. The father came from England about 1819 and settled in Fauquier county, Virginia, where he followed farming until his death.

In the public schools of his home locality Andrew J. Barber pursued his education until about fourteen years of age. He then left school and began farming, being employed by his grandfather, with whom he remained until twenty one years of age. About the time he attained his majority he was elected sheriff and constable of his county and in connection with the discharge of the duties of the office he also carried on a collecting business for some time or until the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861. He then enlisted in the Confederate Army as a private, but through the influence of his father's cousin, Alfred Barber, of Virginia, he became a clerk in the commissary department and was later appointed purchasing agent for Stonewall Jackson with the rank of major and continued to hold that rank until the cessation of hostilities. After the close of the war he went to live with an uncle with whom he remained until 1867, when he was married.

In that year Mr. Barber was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Lake, of Virginia, but her death occurred three months later. In 1869 he removed to Sangamon county, Illinois, and here was united in marriage on the 19th of January, 1870, to Miss Margaret E. Lake, a daughter of Bayliss Lake, of Sangamon county, who came to central Illinois in 1827, prior to the deep snow, which is one of the memorable events forming the history of Sangamon county. After his marriage Mr. Barber purchased four hundred and forty-seven acres of land now included within the five hundred and sixty acre tract that is being operated by B. L. Barber, the remainder of this farm having been given to his wife by her father. There Mr. and Mrs. Barber continued to make their home until 1901, when them removed to Springfield. He fed stock for the market, that being the principal feature of his farm work. He also had interests in the city, but took no active part in the operation of the farm, employing help to cultivate the fields, while he superintended the work.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barber were born the following children: John A., who is an attorney of Springfield; Bayliss L., who is represented elsewhere in this volume and who is operating the home farm; Marie K., the wife of Alvin Council, of Cantrall, Illinois; Clayton J., who was graduated from the Northwestern University of Chicago in June, 1904, and is now a practicing lawyer in connection with his brother, John A.; and Florence E., who completes the family.

Mr. Barber died May 26, 1902. He was a stanch Democrat where national questions were involved, but at local and state elections did not consider himself bound by party ties. Although not a member, he contributed generously toward the support of the Methodist church, to which his wife belongs. He was a man of many sterling qualities, his tastes being strongly domestic and all of his leisure hours were devoted to his family. He was a loving, affectionate and indulgent husband and father and his devotion to his family and to his friends won him the respect and good will of all with whom he was associated.